How to Groom a Pomeranian

Shampoo your Pomeranian, being careful to avoid getting shampoo and water in his eyes, nose and ears. You may opt to place cotton balls in his ears to keep excess water out. Dry him until damp with a soft, clean towel. Bathe your Pomeranian every two to three months or on an as-needed basis; bathing him too frequently could cause hair breakage.

Restrain your Pom with a leash or place him on a grooming table, if necessary. Since Poms are small, they are exceptionally talented at squirming out of your arms during grooming.

Brush your Pom's coat using a pin brush. A pin brush enables you to groom the dense undercoat and remove dead hair while untangling the long and fluffy top coat. Use a slicker brush to remove mats and tangles on sensitive areas of your dog, such as behind the ears or on the legs. If you are planning to trim your Pom's coat, brush the hair against the direction of growth, toward the head of the dog.

Trim or clip your Pom's head and neck to neaten his coat. Hold his ear between your thumb and forefinger to protect it, and trim any excess fur from the ear. After brushing the ruff, or fur around his neck forward, trim any stray fur that extends beyond the rest of his coat. If you are unsure of your clipping or trimming skills, use thinning shears instead of clippers or scissors. After trimming a small amount with the thinning shears, stand back and inspect your work to make sure you do not remove too much fur.

Trim a semicircle under your Pom's belly, with the shortest point of the circle being the center of his belly. Trim any excess stray hair that sticks out from his legs. To make your Pom look polished and neat, twist the fur on the end of his tail, and clip a straight line where it will appear tidy. Be careful to trim small amounts at a time to maintain a natural appearance.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste designed for dogs onto a toothbrush that slides over your finger. Gently brush your Pom's teeth, and brush the gums as well to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Begin brushing your Pom's teeth when he is young to avoid struggling with a fussy dog.